He could have been a poster-boy for fearlessness. Strong, self-assured… and stupid! Sorry. If one of my grandkids reads this, they may remind me that I’m not supposed to use that word. But, if the shoe fits…  Let me back up a little.

My husband, Bill, and I were at the Grand Canyon. (Yes, it really is grand!) We were making our way around the upper hiking path, the one behind the big guard rails, oohing and awing at the spectacular view; when we saw him. He had somehow made his way out on to a jutting ledge, far beyond the protective fences, and was taking a 360 degree selfie! I think he may have been recording the action live, giving a play by play as he spun himself around. The man, probably in his 20’s, looked fearless as he strutted on the sheer ledge. And yet, we all knew that one false move could plunge him helplessly into the rocky canyon a mile below.

He obviously had more guts than the average Grand Canyon visitor… or did he? Sure, it takes someone of great skill and strength to perform that feat, but was he totally fearless? Nope! And how do I know that? Because even as he appeared on camera – probably now playing on a YouTube video near you – he was completely masked! Really!

Was he fearless or foolish?

Now mind you, I don’t want to dismiss the possible lethal nature of a virus; but c’mon! What are your chances of contracting Covid on a sheer ledge at the Grand Canyon, all by yourself? (No one in their right mind is going to follow you out there!) If he was worried about potential danger, he should have stayed at home – or at least on the fenced path!

But isn’t that what’s happening all around us today? People are very concerned about their health, even while super-sizing their meals; parents are afraid for their families, even while divorcing; many are hiding behind masks, but still engaging in all kinds of dangerous activities. You get my point.

In more ways than one, we seem to live in the rocky middle ground of fearlessness and foolishness. We pretend we are invincible while being uncomfortably aware of our mortality. In a real sense, an invisible virus has brought that to light. So what do you do with that?

How each person responds is up to each person. Some foolishly quit living out of fear of dying. Some laugh in the face of real danger and fearlessly walk on a narrow ledge. Some totally disregard rational rules of life and behavior and act out of impulse and selfishness. All those things are focused solely on the here and now. Wouldn’t this be a good time to consider where genuine security is really found, and how to make it your own?

Which leads me to one final question:

Is trusting in your own abilities to get to Heaven fearlessness or foolishness?

More on that next time.

Part 3 of The Bridge from OneDayBow is now available FREE at onedaybow.com! I invite you follow The Story Behind the Story as we uncover the reality behind the allegory. And, be sure to invite a friend along on the journey!